A member of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Communication team, Richard Yeboah, has downplayed the Electoral Commission\u2019s move to organize forums on proposals for a new voters’ register, describing it as a \u201cwaste of time\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Vice Presidential Candidate of the NPP, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia at a press conference held in Accra a few weeks ago , presented what he described as evidence to prove that about 80,000 foreign nationals<\/a><\/strong><\/span> had been registered on the current register.<\/p>\n [contextly_sidebar id=”glIl2ezzrDRpYqBMoQ87t4jERBrGmsP5″]The NPP and other parties subsequently submitted \u00a0petitions to the EC demanding the compilation of a new register.<\/p>\n After weeks of scrutinizing the various petitions, the EC on Friday indicated that it had tasked a five-member committee to hold a two-day public hearing on calls for the compilation of a new register.<\/p>\n The EC explained that it took such a decision due to \u201cpetitions and calls it had received from some political parties, civil society groups and a number of Ghanaians for a new voters\u2019 register.\u201d<\/p>\n But Richard Yeboah, who is\u00a0not enthused about the move, said the NPP was rather expecting the EC to investigate its allegations of a bloated register.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are not excited about the fact that we present a proposal; we expect the EC to investigate the authenticity of the various claims that we are raising and also bring same to the notice of the public for them to say that we are going to turn it into a debate. That is not what we are expecting. We are not looking forward to a debate; this is not a presidential contest.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is just a waste of time….we have presented our case to the EC. EC should present it to the committee.\u00a0why should go and explain what we have already stated. What we needed was an investigation…It is pure waste of time\u201d he complained.<\/p>\n He was pessimistic the public debate will yield positive results.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you invite the NDC and the NPP and the various stakeholders to come and debate on the issue, will that give confirm the\u00a0issue raised by the NPP that certain names have been scanned onto the register? Will that give us any proof that indeed it\u00a0happened?\u201d he queried.<\/p>\n –<\/p>\n By: Marian Efe Ansah\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana
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